Bolivian orphans capture ComSoc volunteers’ hearts during Reading Week

Feb. 28, 2013 – Queen’s Commerce students descended on Cochabamba, Bolivia, during Reading Week in late February to volunteer their services at C.A.T.D, a local government-run orphanage for children with disabilities. During their 10-day trip, the students helped build a new water restoration/filtration system, painted murals and relished the opportunity to interact with the children through games and other activities.

The 23 Commerce students were chosen as part of the Queen’s Commerce Initiative Abroad (Q’CIA), an annual international volunteer initiative that targets a different country in the developing world.

Q’CIA, established in 2007, operates under the auspices of the Queen’s Commerce Society, the undergraduate student government for Queen’s Commerce. This year, Q’CIA worked with Projects Aboard, a philanthropic organization with over 20 years’ experience in sending volunteers overseas.

The students raised funds to cover their expenses and were also supported by sponsors IAMGOLD, Tridel, and the Kolias Family Boardwalk Charitable Trust Fund.